Skip to Main Content
The Student Newspaper of Jackson-Reed High School

The Beacon

The Student Newspaper of Jackson-Reed High School

The Beacon

The Student Newspaper of Jackson-Reed High School

The Beacon

Student’s handgun confiscated at security during school hours
Edith Corrigan Conaty and Gil Leifman September 21, 2024

On Wednesday, September 18 in the afternoon, a Jackson-Reed student’s handgun was confiscated by security and did not make it into the building. The gun was in the student’s bag as they tried to enter the building after lunch. No one was harmed.  In an email to JR families, Principal Sah Brown stated, “per the District’s security and emergency protocols, we immediately contacted the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and DCPS Police, who arrived quickly to confiscate the weapon and...

Meet the Jackson-Reed Girls Ultimate Frisbee Team
Meet the Jackson-Reed Girls Ultimate Frisbee Team
Clara Doyle, Web Technical Editor • August 26, 2024

Did you know that Jackson Reed has a nationally-ranked girl’s ultimate frisbee team?  Did you know that 90% of our players never picked up a frisbee before highschool?  If you are looking for...

History made: JR alum Maisie Derlega wins national Doodle for Google competition
History made: JR alum Maisie Derlega wins national Doodle for Google competition
Dani Wallace, Managing Editor • June 28, 2024

With thousands of applicants from around the nation, only one for Google’s prestigious Doodle for Google comes out on top. The winner for this year's competition was none other than recently graduated...

Outlooks of DC sports teams
Daniel Raviv, Junior Editor • June 26, 2024

Since the championship runs by the Nationals, Mystics, and the Capitals in the late 2010s, DC’s major sports teams have struggled to move forward. Every year, we hope one of our beloved hometown teams...

PRIDE - Jax Downey, Kalie Van Order, Micro Alexander, Mia Gerson, and Josey Kanach pose at DC Pride last year. Each year the Capital Pride Parade takes place in DC.
DC’s annual Pride festival
Mia Barnes, Contributor • June 11, 2024

As June rolls around, DC’s LGBTQ+ community is preparing for their yearly Capital Pride Parade and festival! This parade aims to commemorate the evolution of LGBTQ+ people in the city and their influence...

Volume 87 Issue 7
Volume 87 Issue 7
The Beacon Staff June 11, 2024

Click here to read the full issue! Click here to see senior ads!

Volume 87 Issue 6
Volume 87 Issue 6
May 3, 2024
Volume 87 Issue 5
Volume 87 Issue 5
March 29, 2024
Volume 87 Issue 4
Volume 87 Issue 4
February 13, 2024
Volume 87 Issue 3
Volume 87 Issue 3
December 18, 2023
Student’s handgun confiscated at security during school hours
Edith Corrigan Conaty and Gil Leifman September 21, 2024

On Wednesday, September 18 in the afternoon, a Jackson-Reed student’s handgun was confiscated by security and did not make it into the building. The gun was in the student’s bag as they tried to enter the building after lunch. No one was harmed.  In an email to JR families, Principal Sah Brown stated, “per the District’s security and emergency protocols, we immediately contacted the Metropolitan...

History made: JR alum Maisie Derlega wins national Doodle for Google competition
History made: JR alum Maisie Derlega wins national Doodle for Google competition
Dani Wallace, Managing Editor • June 28, 2024

With thousands of applicants from around the nation, only one for Google’s prestigious Doodle for Google comes out on top. The winner for this year's competition was none other than recently graduated...

Wilson Aquatic Center repairs remain at a stalemate
Cole Zich, Written Content Editor • June 11, 2024

The Wilson Aquatic Center has been closed indefinitely since August 2023, due to necessary repairs to the HVAC and cooling systems. However, a lack of communication with staff and students from the Department...

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS - The Jackson-Reed Mental Health Department organized a fair in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, with various informational activities.
Mental health fair raises awareness
Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor • June 11, 2024

On May 29, the Jackson-Reed School Wellness team hosted a fair in the atrium at lunch in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. There were information tables, posters, activities, and resources available...

Honors precalculus eliminated from DCPS curriculum
Honors precalculus eliminated from DCPS curriculum
Edith Corrigan Conaty and Gil Leifman June 11, 2024

This spring, DCPS announced their decision to eliminate the honors precalculus course. This has left individual high schools with the decision to offer either on-level or AP Precalculus (APPC) — a new...

FILM SHOWING - The ASU screens 5 Broken Cameras during lunch
ASU shows Palestine film after court settlement
Isadora Groves, Devan Mehta, and Gil Leifman June 11, 2024

After months of controversy, the Arab Student Union and the Jackson-Reed administration reached an agreement in federal court last month allowing the student group to screen a documentary about Palestine...

Meet the Jackson-Reed Girls Ultimate Frisbee Team
Meet the Jackson-Reed Girls Ultimate Frisbee Team
Clara Doyle, Web Technical Editor • August 26, 2024

Did you know that Jackson Reed has a nationally-ranked girl’s ultimate frisbee team?  Did you know that 90% of our players never picked up a frisbee before highschool?  If you are looking for a new extracurricular at Jackson-Reed, the girls frisbee team is the perfect place for you! What is ultimate frisbee?  Think of ultimate frisbee as a cross between soccer and football. Ultimate...

PRIDE - Jax Downey, Kalie Van Order, Micro Alexander, Mia Gerson, and Josey Kanach pose at DC Pride last year. Each year the Capital Pride Parade takes place in DC.
DC’s annual Pride festival
Mia Barnes, Contributor • June 11, 2024

As June rolls around, DC’s LGBTQ+ community is preparing for their yearly Capital Pride Parade and festival! This parade aims to commemorate the evolution of LGBTQ+ people in the city and their influence...

Beyond the classic black and white cookie sandwich: Ranking Target's unique Oreos
Eva Solomon and Esme Nooruddin June 11, 2024

In the aisles of the Tenleytown Target, one would be surprised at the variety of Oreo flavors available. The diverse assortment ranges from the original flavor that will never get old, to limited edition...

SPANISH EXCHANGE - students explore the city of Alicante before heading off to Madrid.
From the plane to Spain: 2024 exchange trip
Noa Gordon and Kalpana Shipler June 11, 2024

We’re back, and we’re here to give you the long-awaited Spain exchange student trip recap. Before we get into it, we can’t go on without thanking our wonderful chaperones, Mr. Vela and Ms. Conklin.  On...

National Signing Day: A surprising twist with the former first lady Michelle Obama
Duy Nguyen, Junior Editor • June 11, 2024

The inaugural National Signing Day at Capitals One Arena was packed with so many athletes ready to sign their scholarships. The event included many notable guests, from DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Washington...

Class of 2024 leaves their mark with senior assassin
Dani Wallace, Managing Editor • June 11, 2024

No, we’re not trying to start a new trend and no, we’re not joining the swim team. Once you are at our grown age, you will understand the art of the senior assassin and the vital use of swimming goggles....

What the 2023-24 senior staff will be remembered for
Beacon Staff June 11, 2024

Rebecca Green: bringing Anna Wintour to the Beacon Simon Holland: his de-stress walks after multitasking Beacon & theater (peep Cliff) Francesca Purrificato: her scary top 10 rejections (she'll probably hate this one too) Lila Chesser: no filter. Addison Childre: Beacon veteran Maisie Derlega: producing graphics like its nobody’s buisness Ellie Paty: the queen of the Layout...

JR Survival Guide
Norah Caplan and Josephine Caplan June 11, 2024

Dear underclassmen, As AP season comes to a close and summer is finally here, we have some thoughts. As two juniors who have seen it all, we’re here to help you uncover the do’s and don'ts of Jackson-Reed. 1....

CAPE testing is misunderstood
CAPE testing is misunderstood
Noa Gordon and Clara Doyle June 11, 2024

While for freshmen it can be a struggle, the rest of us get mornings off and more time to study for AP tests. It’s the only two weeks in the school year where you can show up at 12:30 PM and miss absolutely...

100 word rants: Rain, Trader Joe's, end of school
Jordanna Sloane, Benji Roskes, and Ava Serafino June 11, 2024

I hate rain April showers bring May flowers, but it’s May and it's still raining. All I want to do is hang out in Tenleytown, but no, I have to plan around the weather. I want to wake up and not have...

Being a woman in a world of Harrison Butkers
Devan Mehta, News Editor • June 11, 2024

Between winning a second consecutive Super Bowl and having a tight end in what is arguably the most famous couple in the United States, it’s no shock that the Kansas City Chiefs have received a significant...

Should we have additional required classes?
Esme Nooruddin and Cecelia Grant June 11, 2024

To graduate from Jackson-Reed, a series of classes are required by the District with the intent of preparing students for success. However, the current required courses do not prepare students for real...

Outlooks of DC sports teams
Daniel Raviv, Junior Editor • June 26, 2024

Since the championship runs by the Nationals, Mystics, and the Capitals in the late 2010s, DC’s major sports teams have struggled to move forward. Every year, we hope one of our beloved hometown teams can rise up and make an exciting playoff run, but that hasn’t happened recently. However, five of our major teams are in unique positions at the moment, making now a great time to examine how they’re...

HANDS IN THE AIR- The frisbee team doesn’t care. The boys and girls team has placed first in the DCSAA finals for the past eight years.
The road to ultimate frisbee nationals
Clara Doyle, Web Technical Editor • June 11, 2024

On June 7th and 8th, both the girls and boys ultimate frisbee teams traveled to Rockford, Illinois to compete at the High School National Invite Tournament (HSNI). Last year, the JR boys team placed seventh...

TOTAL TURNAROUND - After multiple coaching changes, Jason Strickland is the new coach for Jackson-Reed football.
Football gets second new coach in just two months
Justin Glenn and Noa Gordon June 11, 2024

After three straight losing seasons, Jackson-Reed Athletic Director Patrice Arrington believed it was time to start a new era for JR football. In late January, despite his strong connection with players,...

POSING WITH THE CUP - The Girls Freshman 8 boat takes a team picture, holding the trophy for the Stotesbury Cup Regatta. The win was the first Stotes win for JR Girls crew.
Girls place third at nationals after win at Stotes
Noa Gordon, Sports Editor • June 11, 2024

The long brutal season of crew has come to an end, and it did so with a bang. On May 24, the freshman girls team placed third at the Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA) Nationals in Camden,...

POWER POSE- Six lady tigers pose for the camera in
their softball uniforms. The team won DCIAA finals.
Varsity softball extends DCIAA dynasty
Noa Gordon, Sports Editor • June 11, 2024

This past season, in a dominant fashion, softball won their 11th consecutive DCIAA championship and made it to the DCSAA semifinals.  On May 7th, the Tigers won the DCIAA championship in a five inning...

Offseason Sports
Maya Roskes, Spread Editor • June 11, 2024

While many of us cannot wait for the fast approaching summer vacation, Jackson-Reed athletes will certainly feel the loss of the two and a half month absence from their favorite sports. Luckily, there...

June Spread
June Spread
The Beacon Staff June 11, 2024

Click here to read!

What @scaryterry4_ eats in a day
What @scaryterry4_ eats in a day
Kaleb Simpson, Contributor • May 3, 2024

1. Cinnamon toast crunch (my go to breakfast). 2. JR’s peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the protein! 3. Subway’s spicy Italian sandwich with pepperoni, salami, pepper jack cheese,...

My Georgetown adventure
Sabrina Bergeron, Junior Editor • February 13, 2024

On the first day of my dual enrollment class at Georgetown University, I walked in a bit shaky from the nerves of being in a new place surrounded by people older than me.  As a junior, I applied to...

Day in the Life at JR and GW
Day in the Life at JR and GW
Dana Clocker, Copy Editor • February 13, 2024

5:30am - Wake up and drive to school to catch the team’s bus to the Takoma Aquatic Center for morning swim practice. 6:45am - Swim! 8:15am - Hop back on the bus with my fellow Tiger Sharks to return...

Dual enrollment: two approaches
Edith Corrigan Conaty, Managing Editor • February 13, 2024

Signing up for collegiate schoolwork and courseloads as a high schooler may be considered extreme, but some motivated students have pushed themselves to take on the challenge.  Dania Abdalla and Anna...

Inundaciones catastróficas en Brasil
Dani Ortiz de Prado, Editora adjunta • June 11, 2024

Unas lluvias torrenciales han estado golpeando a Brasil por casi un mes. El estado brasileño de Rio Grande do Sul está sufriendo lo que las autoridades llaman el peor desastre de la historia del estado...

¡Sobrevivimos los exámenes AP!
¡Sobrevivimos los exámenes AP!
June 11, 2024

Ahora que se acercan las vacaciones de verano, los estudiantes de Jackson-Reed están dejando escapar...

El retorno de las pandas
El retorno de las pandas
June 11, 2024

El Zoológico Nacional Smithsoniano ha anunciado que los pandas van a volver al zoológico este año....

Nueva clase en el departamento de Español
June 11, 2024

El próximo año, Jackson-Reed va a ofrecer una clase electiva adicional a la lista de cursos—¡en...

Como quedarse activo fuera de temporada
Como quedarse activo fuera de temporada
June 11, 2024

Mientras muchos de nosotros no podemos esperar para que las vacaciones de verano se aproximan rápidamente,...

Prom fashion: do’s and don’ts
Sasha Pala and Maddie Nusbaum June 11, 2024

Whether they’re enchanted forest or night in Paris themed, prom dresses are always judged by those who are not invited (us). We are here to give you our two cents on the dos and don’ts of prom...

Preview of Summer Fashion
June 11, 2024

As the temperature rises, so do my expectations for new outfits. Coming out of winter, I am desperate...

FASHION MOGUL - Vera Wang owns a high end
successful bridal gown boutique.
AAPI icon: Vera Wang
June 11, 2024

The long, flowing, dark brown hair and young face that graced the Met Gala red carpet, in a long bedazzled...

I scream, you scream: A guide of where to get ice cream this summer
I scream, you scream: A guide of where to get ice cream this summer
June 11, 2024

As the weather heats up and the sun comes out, there has been only one thing on our minds: where can...

End of year survival kit
End of year survival kit
June 11, 2024

As APs finish and the end of the school year rapidly approaches, the dreaded senioritis, far less appropriate...

Donate to The Beacon
$1140
$1500
Contributed
Our Goal